upgrade from 350d to what?

I'm trying to convince myself to upgrade to a new body instead of getting wheels for the truck (but the stock wheels sure are ugly), but I don't know what to. I currently have a 350d and have taken about 15k pictures over the last 1.5 years. I mainly do bird photography with an occasional wedding.

My main question is what would I upgrade to (30d, 40d)? Since wheels would cost me around $800-1,000, that would be my budget on the camera as well.

How much will the higher ISO's help me in the low light birding areas? Right now I try not to go above 400, but will use 800 if I have to get the picture.

So can anyone sell me on getting a camera instead?

Thanks
Bill

30D w/ grip

I think either will do you just fine, the 30D is cheaper now though. The 40D has a few extra bells and whistles. Depends if you wanna spend the extra $$

I upgraded from an XT to a 40D. Worth every single last penny in my jar.

I *sort of* upgraded from 350D/XT to a 30D and now a 40D. I just happen to have both my 350D's still. I will sell one though, or maybe convert it to Infra Red. Hmm... wonder if that would fly with hubby?

Anyway.... either you go with the 30D or the 40D, you'll get a nice camera. Its another beast in your hands (feels heavy at first, but you adjust instantly). And the controls make more sense. Oh, and yeah, the images looks better.

badams wrote in post #4451093
So can anyone sell me on getting a camera instead?

Thanks
Bill

There will be no shortage of people on this forum that will give you upgrade advice. If you really want to be persuaded to buy a new camera, you have come to the right place.

Crossfire wrote in post #4453494
There will be no shortage of people on this forum that will give you upgrade advice. If you really want to be persuaded to buy a new camera, you have come to the right place.

Truer words have not been spoken about POTN..........

You really don't make a convincing case of why you would need to upgrade in your post - are you hitting some kind of photographic brick wall with your Rebel that the 30D would fix - or are you just Jonesing for a new toy?

Better lenses are generally money more well spent.

I went from XT to 30D and while the sensor is nearly the same, the feel (size/weight), menu, AF, ISO expansion, wheel, etc make me happy I did the upgrade. I would suggest upgrading glass though as the XT is a perfectly capable body and with good glass it really shines.

Your options aren't exactly limited. Anything except a 300D would be an improvement in one aspect or another.

I dont know if the ISO would be the main advantage... not sure if it would be a major one if you only shoot 400 ish..

major one would be tracking a moving target and massive frame rate... i find its easier to dial in settings quickly when im trying to shoot birdlife... which tend to move pretty quickly. Youve already got the 100-400.. so unless you were after a wider aperture long lens.... then sure the 40d is a great addition...

if you were asking about landscape/kids shots then the upgrade may not be worth it.. but for moving targets where you might need the higher res to crop in on the shot a bit then yeah.. if you sell your 350D for a couple of hundred you may end up with a reasonable priced upgrade... although if it were me id keep the 350 as a second body - ive missed some good shots not having a second cam with a wider angle lens handy... (while using my 100-400)

New tyres arent needed for functionality :P haha

BUT you dont have any wider lenses... do you miss out in this area?? might be worth getting a 17-55 2.8 or 24-105 first?

You had to start this thread?
I "updated" my XT with an XTi (wanted the self-cleaning sensor). NOW you'll have me dreaming of my "next" upgrade - although on that route I'm thinking GLASS!

bauerman wrote in post #4453678
Truer words have not been spoken about POTN..........

You really don't make a convincing case of why you would need to upgrade in your post - are you hitting some kind of photographic brick wall with your Rebel that the 30D would fix - or are you just Jonesing for a new toy?

Better lenses are generally money more well spent.

I guess the AF tracking as Super-Nicko mentioned would be high on my list of the limitations of the 350d.

Yes I always want a new toy.

There is not any other lenses on the wish list except for the 500 L which I cannot afford and I just can't put that money into savings to save for the 500 as it wouldn't be any time soon that I would be able to afford it (Maybe another 5 years).


Super-Nicko, yes tires are a must, but not the wheels. Tires will be happening regardless of which I get. As for wider lenses, the kit suits me just fine for wide as it maybe only gets used 5% of the time. I'm not even sure if the 100-400 remembers how to come off .

If I get a new body I will be keeping the 350d as a backup.